Wildflowers!!!

Ahhh....just got back from Albion Bason in Little Cottonwood Canyon to see the wildflowers. Did you know that wildflower season in Utah is July through August? Never knew that. I always thought wildflowers bloomed whenever the snow melted and were here through... say September. And I didn't know there were ideal spots to look at wildflowers. But one day, since I don't work anymore, I was watching Studio 5, a local daily TV show and they had a spotlight on wildflower viewing. And wouldn't you know there is a little hike that is easy enough for kids (and a pregnant mother) just up Little Cottonwood Canyon. About an hours drive for us. I was also talking to my brother about it one day saying, "Yea, I'm just gonna take the kids up there next week. Mike is working so much I don't know when he can go, but the season is supposed to be over soon so I'm just gonna go with the kids. I've never gone and just looked at the wildflowers. The kids need to get out. It will be great exercise." Well, Nate had that day off, he loves adventure, so I invited him and their two kids along--Logan, 7 and Noah, almost 5. I must admit, I had a little bit of an alterior motive, I figured he might be willing to carry Michaela should she tucker out. (Shh...don't tell him...actually that really isn't why. But it worked out nice!) And it was everything I hoped it would be. Someone in our ward graciously loaned me an infant backpack (Thanks, Brianna!). And Nathan stoically carried Michaela most of the way up and all the way down. Of course, the two oldest kids were the ones complaining. Why is that? How is it that little Jake Jake can just plug along, enjoying being outside with bugs and flowers and dirt? But the 6 and 7 old year olds were the ones saying, "I'm soooo tired! How much longer??? You said this was going to be fun!" And then they would sprint ahead. And the six year old was saying on the drive home, "This was the best day!"???? Go figure. Right now I'm deliriously tired. The only thing that would have made today perfect would have been to have Mike with me. But, as he said, on our cell phone call home, "We'll have to go next year." Scroll down to see our picts.

The view at the top of the hike.

Ah...sometimes brothers can be so sweet to each other.

Michaela just killed over and died the whole way down.

Noah on the left, Caleb, Jake and Logan. Taking a moment to rest.

The gang, sans me, at our tree where we ate our lunch.

See, the hike was relatively easy!

My camera does not do the wildflower scenery justice. So gorgeous!

Ah, Michaela. I could just squeeze her to bits.